Loading device for baking ovens



Feb. 17, 1948. w. L. MUELLER ET AL 2,436,052

LOADING DEVICE FOR BAKING OVENS Filed Dec. 20, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 17,1948.

w. LQMUELLER ET Al.

LOADING DEVICE FOR BAXING QVENS Filednec. 2o, 1944 e sheds-sheet .1 ea a Z l JZ.

NZ fa. i

6 sheets-sheet 5 Feb. i7, 1948. w. L. MUELLER ET Al.

LOADING DEVICE FOR BAKING OVENS Filed Dec. 20,71944 Feb., E?, 1948. w. L. MUELLER ET AL LOADING DEVICE FOR BAKING OVENS Filed Dec. 20, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 www Feb. 17, 1948. w.| MUELLER ET AL 2,436,052

LOADING DEVICE FOR BAKING OVENS Filed Dec. 2o, 1944 e sheets-sheet 5 Feb W, 1948. w. L. MUELLER ET Al. 2,436,952

LOADING DEVICE FOR BAKING OVENS Filed Dec. 20, 1944 i 6 Sheets-Sheet 6,

Patented Feb. 17, 1948 William L. Mueller,

Skarin, Western La Grange, and Carl RichardVj Springs, Ill

., assignors to The Petersen Oven Company, a company of Illinois Application December 20, 1944, Serial No. 569,084 7 Claims. (01.,107-57) -The present invention relates to a loading device for use in conjunction with commercial baking ovens of the general type having an endless conveyer traveling in a baking chamber with a portion of the conveyer disposed in close proximity to the loading opening of the oven. Such baking ovens are usually constructed and arranged so as to permit disposing of a plurality of, pans of food stui on a supporting shelf associated with the loading opening, preferably arranged initially in side by side fashion so as to permit the pans to be manually moved singly, or in groups onto the conveyer.

,Qne widely used type of baking oven to which theA present invention is particularly adaptable, employs a conveyer of the type provided with a. .multiplicity of spaced apart, grill type of trays, each of which is formed and dimensioned for receiving a vplurality of pans of food stull. In seine oven constructionsof this general type, the conveyer driving means is controlled in a manner to cause intermittent stoppage or arresting of the trays successively, in registration with the.r supporting 'shelf of the loading opening. In other oven constructions, the conveyer may be ofthe continuous traveling type.

. Due to the construction of such ovens the matter of loading the pans of food stui onto the conveyer or the trays thereof, requires the exeronof considerable physical eiiort as well as skill ini effecting proper placement of the pans on the conveyer, A

The loading device embodying the present invention is herein disclosed as a separate, selfcontained, unitary piece of equipment which may be readily connected to or detached from operative association with a baking oven. It will be apparent, however, that for certain types of ovens the loading device may be formed as a built-in part of the oven proper.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a novel mechanical loading device of the character indicated, which is adapted to be so co-related to the baking oven as to permit rapid and accurate loading of a plurality of pans ot food stui onto the baking conveyer.

. Another object is to provide a novel loading device of the character indicated, which is of a unitary, self-contained, -portable nature, constructed and arranged so as to be quickly moved into and out of operative relation to the baking oven.

A further object is to provide a novel loading device of the character indicated comprising an eppeated, substantially horizontally extending tially as indicated at line 3 3 on Figure 4.

pusher member disposed inthe loading opening of the oven, together with power operated means gether with means for moving the pusher member in a forwardly direction in closeA proximity to the shelf for engaging the pans thereon and moving the same onto the baking conveyer, and for moving the pusher member in an elevated. rearwardly traveling direction to permit disposing of additional pans of food` stun in proper position on the lshelf preparatory to being engaged by the pusher member during the next forward movement thereof.

Other objects and advantages ofthis invention will be. apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the loading device embodying the present Vinvention shown in operative relation to a baking oven.

Figure 2 is a vertical, sectionalview through the loading device and the forward part of a baking oven and taken substantially, as indicated at line 2 2 on Figure 1. Figure 3 is an enlarged, vertical, sectional view through the loadingidevice and baking oven, ad-

jacent one end of the device, and taken substan- Figure 4 is a transverse, horizontal, sectional view of the device andV adjacent portion of the oven, taken substantially as indicated at line 4 1 on Figure 3. Y

Figure 5 is a vertical section through the loading device per se, taken substantially as indicated at line 5 5 on Figure 1.

Figure 6 is an enlarged, vertical, sectional view through one end of the loading device and taken substantially as indicated at line 6 6 on Figure 3.

Figure 'I is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view at one end of the loading device, showing the chain belt and its operative connection to the pusher member.

Figure 8 is a vertical view part in section and part in elevation and taken as indicated at line 8 8 on Figure 7.V A l Figure 9 is a View ypartiti 'section ,and Part in elevation of the pusher member, taken at line il--Q on Figure 8.

Figure l is a sectional view through the pusher member, taken substantially as indicated at line lil--l on Figure 9.

Figure l1 is a fragmentary, elevational view of the end of the pusher memberprovided with a telescopic connection, to a trunnion bearing.`

Figure 12 is "a `transverse, sectional view through the pusher member, taken substantially as indicated at line l2--I2 on` Figure 9.

The loading device embodying our invention includes an upright, generally rectangular frame structure l0, made up essentially of structural members. The frame, for convenience, is mounted on a plurality of casters I2 vto permit convenient movement of the .deviceY from place' to place, or into and out of operative association with a baking oven. To insure proper positioning of the loading device in relatively fixed relation to the baking oven, We provide a pair of conventional, 'foot operated, friction stop devices I4, on the forward face of the lower portion of the frame structure, asclealy seen in Figures 1 and 3 of the drawings.

The top of the frame structure isv provided with an auxiliary slfielfY l5' disposed substantially horizontally vand adapted tob aligned'with the loading shelfn associated withth'e loading opening of the bakingv oven, The auiiiliary shelf includes an outer' `elerrient f5, and 'an inner element i1, disposed belowY the elex'nent'i` so as to provide at the inner end of the velement I6 an abutment shoulder i8 against Vvvhiczh the pans of food stuff, as indicated at Bo, 'are adapted to be initially positioned ina proper relation to be engaged by an elongated, horizontally disposed, forwardly movable pusher member V28.

` Mounted on'the frame structure il), at each end, are separate synchronaed drive means for actuating the pusher inerx'ilo'er- 2U, which is iirst caused to move in aV forwardly direction, in rela,- tively close proximity 'to th'ejauxiliary shelf i5 of the loadingV device andthe )shelf A, of the baking oven, andl is further caused to move, in

an elevated, rearwardly direction, in. a cyclic manner for repeat-engagement with a plurality of pan'sBV positioned on theshelf elements.

The drive means'at opposite ends of the frame structure are substantially identical, but oppositely disposedjand the descilpftionofY one driving means, as far as practical, will sufce for both. v,Each drive means. includes a supporting frame '2,2L von `which is `djust'ably mounted a bearing A`23 for ahori'zontal shaft 24, on the outer end of which is iixe'dly monnteda sprocket wheel 2G. Fixedly mounted 'on the inner end of the shaft 2,4, yis a sprocket wheel 28. Disposed in alignment with the sprocket wheel 28, at the forward end and on the same side of the frame member 22'fis afsprocket 'wheel 30, journalled on a stud 3|,"ked1`y mounted on the forward end of the frame member 2 2.` Trained around the sprocket wheelz, and 3U is a roller chain 32 which is preferably relatively taut, `and proper tension inthe chain 'is maintained by a conventional screw adjustment, as indicated at 33, associated withk the bearlng'23.' The upper run of thechain isguided lon and rolls over a track member 34connectd'to the frame 22 and the lower run lof the chain engages the track 34a. V`Pivotally connectedat one end to the chain 32 of 'the'drive means, as clearly seen in Figures 7 and 8, is a control arm 35, theloppcsite end of which is operatively connected tothe pusher member 20. The forward portion of the control arm, adjacent the pusher member 20 is disposed in an inwardly offset relation, as indicated at 31, to the remaining portion of the arm. A guide roller 38 is pivotally connected to said arm intermediate the main offset portions thereof. Said guide rollers, as will be presen ly described, serve to control thepath of travel ofgthe pusher member`20.

Fixedly attached to the frame member 22 of the drive means, is a cam 4B, of elongated form, the upper surface of which, as indicated at 4I, is of irregular contour and is adapted to be engaged by the guide roller 38 of the control arm for controlling the elevated path of travel of the pusher membe' 20. When the control arm is on the lower run of the chain, such as seen in Figure 3 ofthe drawings, the guide roller 38 travels over a horizontally, extending track element 43, the forward end of which terminates substantially in vertical alignment with the nose portion 44 of the cam 40. The opposite 'end of said track element 43, merges 'ino an arcuate guide track 46, over which the guide roller likewise travels after it disengages from the rear end of 'the upper surface of the cam member 40.

1t will now be seen that as 'the chains 32 travel around the respective pairs of sprocket wheels 28 and 3B, the control arms, due to the engage,- ment of the guide rollers '33, traveling over the track 43, :supports the pusher member 20 in rel-v atively close proximity to lthe auxiliary shelf elements I6 and I1' Vand the VVshelf element A of the baking oven. As the chain moves 'forwardly so that the rollers -38 ride off of the forward ends of the track 43, the arms 35 Vswing downwardly about their pivot connections to the chains 32 so that the pusher member'ZD is brought into contact with 'the lforward portion of the shelf A of theY baking oven for purposes as will hereinafter be described. 'l'h'e travel of the chains causes the pivot v'connactions thereof with the control farmsY to v'travel in an upwardly direction around the end sprocket wheels 38, which move; ment causes the4 pusher member 20 to dwell or remain substantially stationary for a period during the time the pivot axes of the arm approach and pass beyond the horizontal plane through the axes of 'the shafts 3|. As such movement occurs, the 'pusher member 20 is gradually raised until the guide rollers 38 engage the nose portions 44 of the cams 43. Continued movement ofthe chains, dueto the engagement of the guide rollers 38 with the co' tours 4l of the cams, res'ults in raising' the pusher member `2li and simultaneouslymoves it in arearwardly direction. A s the pivot connectionr of the arms 35 with 'the chains 32 travels around the sprocket wheels'ZB', the guide rollers ride off of the v'rear ends ofthe cam surfaces 4i andthelarms then assume a substantially vertical position until the guide rollers 38 engage the "curved tracks 46, and v'continued movement of the chains, ,causes the rollers 38 toengage aidvfollow `the tracks 43. Such movement 'causes Vthe control arms to again assume a forwardly and vdovvnv'vardly inclined position substantially as see'n'fin Figure 3 of the drawings.

The two separate drive means at opposite -ends of the supporting frame structure are synchronously drivenv through `similar` ldrive connections, comprising chains`52 trained around the sprocket wheels 26 and the aligned sprocket wheels 53, disposed below the sprocket wheels 26. Each of the sprocket wheels 53 Vis mountedy on and keyed to a common horizontally extendingl shaft '54, jour- 4As may be seen in 55 on the frame structurel. Figure 1 of the drawings, the of the. shaft 54 has xedly a sprocket wheel 51', driven by a chain 58 from a sprocket wheel 59 associated with the driving mechanism mounted, at the lower right hand portion .of the framing structure l0. 'I'he driving mechanism includes an electric motor 60, which through a belt 6| drivesaspeed reducing mechanism 62, which in turntransmits motion through a friction slip clutch device, indicated generally at 63,.with which the sprocket wheel 59 is operatively connected. 'I'he purpose of providing the friction slip clutch is so that in the event the pusher member for some reason or other encounters an abutment, the drive connection thereto will slip. More particularly, the special clutch is provided as ya safety device so that in the event the pusher member. engages the arms or hands of an voperator placing pans on the shelf I5, the pusher. member may be temporarily held against movement so that no injury will result from such contact.

The pusher member 20 is constructed and arranged so as to :be quickly and easily removed from operative connection with the control` arms 35 so as to enable cleansing, repair or replacement. 'I'he pusher member preferably is in the form of an elongated tube 64 provided at one end with the press iitted bearing 65, and at the opposite end with a sleeve 66, the outer end of which has a press fitted bushing 61. The two bushings at oppositeA ends of the pushermember are 4adapted to be telescoped onto trunnion elements 68 fixedly secured to the outer endsV of the control arms 35, as clearly seen in Figure 9 of the drawings. The sleeve 66 is interconnected with theA tube 64, for limited telescopic movehailed in bearings right handV end mounted thereon .aligned tray. F. When the oven is .tially full open position,

manually loaded the door for convenience is in substanresulting in a. great loss of heat. By virtue of the construction herein diss closed, there is a minimum heat loss, from the loading openingof the baking chamber D, and hence a substantial saving of heat is effected, and in general increases economy ofoperationof the ovens. The door, site ends, is provided as indicated at E in with notched-out portions. Figures 1 and 4, to accommodate the projecting portions of the respective clearance for the pans B, together with the drive the shelf onto the registering trays.

ment relative thereto. For this 'purpose .the

sleeve 66 is provided with an outwardly extend-l ing pin 69, registering in an elongated slot 'I6 formed in the tube. 64. A coil spring 'Il is lmounted with the tube with one end abutting against a washer 'I2 seated against the inner end of the sleeve 66, and the opposite end of the spring abuts against a'wa'sher 13 seated against a pin 14 xedly secured in the tube 64, as seen in Figure 9. Thus the spring 'il vtends to Vurge the sleeve 66 in an outwardly direction and cause the pin 69 to move to .the'outer limit. of the slot lil,V as clearly seen in *the drawings." `To remove the pushenmember 20, merely requires axial movement'of the `tube in a direction to compress the spring TI, resultingin movement of the tubular body 64 of the pusher-member to the position indicated* in -dottedlines in .Figure 9, at which position the opposite-end of the tube has been disengaged from its trunnion'68, and the entire pusher member may then be moved laterally, and then Vin the opposite longitudinal direction for disengagement with the other Strunnion 68. 1 In Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings we have shown our novel loading device in operative relation to a `baking oven. As may be clearly seen in Figures 2 and 3, the device is so positioned with respect tothe oven that the driving means at the opposite ends .thereof project a distance into the loading opening --of the oven. The oven, as illustrated, includes a vertically sliding door C, which when the loading device is connected in operative relation to'` the oven, is disposed in a position as seen in Figure 2, at a height lust suflicient to aiiord clearance for .the

- pausv B, for movement over the shelf .ontoan means and the pusher member 20. In the oven as illustrated in the drawings, the baking con. veyer maybe understood to be of a conventional type, including an .endless chain conveyer lon which is carried a plurality of spaced apart, grill type of individually pivoted trays F, whichserve to supporty pans of food stuff thereon throughout a. substantially complete. cycle of travel of the conveyer during which the baking operation is performed.- These trays are adapted to be regiistered with the loading shelf A, associated with the loading opening of the oven so that pans of food stuff, as indicated at B, may .be moved from After the respective trays have made a complete circuit within the baking chamber, the pans may be unloaded from the trays in any convenient manner, and as shown in Figure 1 the trays are caused to beftilted as they approach the forward vend of the oven soas to cause the pans of food stuff to be discharged therefrom onto a transversely extending funloading conveyer, as indicated generallyat G, which unloading conveyer conveys the pans Vof=b`aked food stuif laterally through the side wall of theoven. The particular type of baking and unloading conveyers and the means fortunloading the ypans from the traysconstitutes `no part. of the present invention and-.no further description thereof is believed necessary.

Mounted at the inner edge of theshelf A of the baking oven is an auxiliaryelement Hof generally angular cross section,.as clearly seen in Figure 3 of the drawings. Theelement H is hingedly connected to the oven shelf'and assoelated therewith Ais a spring J, normally tending `to maintain rthe element in aposition as seen in Figure 3 of the drawings so as to constitute an extension of the oven shelf -A. The e1e-. menty H is positioned in the path of travel of the outer end ofthe tray Fso that a marginal porvtion thereof is engaged by the tray, ,When the tray is'arrestedin proper position, said element His disposedgsubstantially flush with the oven', shelf A, to form a, continuation thereof so that the pans of food ystui B may be slid over the shelf A and auxiliary element H directly on .the

supporting surface of the registering tray. The' f purpose of providing a hinged connection forfthe element H is so that a slight amount of excessive upward movement of the tray will cause the element-H to be inclined upwardly and will, as longv preferably adjacent oppo- *as theV element H is. in engagement, 'with the tray, provide a convenient surface over :which the pans may be. slid. onto the trays. After'the ltray again moves. upwardly, the auxiliarylelement H isdisengagedfrom the trayand returns tothe. position seen `in FiguresS of: the drawings.

It will now be apparent that in.. the use of: our novel. :loading device the pans of' food stuff: B areinitially, placed on the-auxiliary shelf-1 Iscr thev loading device, with the` rear` ends.l of the pans. disposed` in abutment with thefshoulder 18. This. results in. disposing thepansl in' a. proper position soas to-.be.engaged by. thepusher mem,- .ber 2|).for movement forwardly, slidingly over: the auxiliary shelf. element l1; the oven shelf A, and auxiliary element Honte the trays l? of" the baking conveyer.y Thus the. matter ofloadingA of pans.. of.r food; stuft onto the trays` off the bak;- ing conveyer. mayl be rapidly.- and eiciently. accomplished, dispensing with.. considerable: physical. effort .on the part of.- the loading operators. It willbe apparent thaty as. thepusher element approaches the. forward en d of itsnmovement, it isdisposedin engagement with the forwardpor.- tionofV the oven shelfsrandtheelement: H. The purpose of-y such arrangementisto preclude. the possibility of the pusher element tending .toride upwardly against the` rear.- ends of. the pans. of food. stui. This is particularly. important ...to avoid. diiculty.- in. connection. with low height pans, such as cookie pansand thelike.

The loading device may be quickly. and easily connected; and disconnected from. operative relation tothe baking oven, .and forthis purpose we. provide a4 pair of connecting. elements at oppositey ends of the loadingl device in the form of' rods 90., journalledin the frame structures; 22. oft-he. drive means. The upper ends ofthe rods. areprovided with hand grips'l, and the .lower ends off the rods. extendthrough. guide slots 92 of brackets. 93 connected to the outer side of the frames 22, andfthe lower. ends ofthe rods are adapted to.brev threaded' into` the` end portions of the shelf. A as. clearly seenv in` Figure 3. To insurea substantiai'threadedrconnection, we preferably welda nut. onto the under side of theshelf A. This connection. to the'oven is. further. augmented'by the provision of the foot operated friction stops I 4, as above described,

As. may bevseeninthe drawings, the driving means at each. end of' the frame structure is enclosed'. in. a. suitable sheet metal` housing 95, and it is to alsobe understoodthat suitable sheet metalenciosures maybe provided for theends of theframe structure I; aswellfas the drivemechanism per se, for both the.V purposes of safety against possible injury to 'persons working about such machines and for purposes ofA appearance.

Associated with each offv the housings 95 en closing. the drive mechanism, is a switch device Siz so that an operator may readily contr-ol the starting orY stopping of the drivel mechanism of the device. A switch device-98 is associated with theright hand housingil, and it may be -under-` stood to Abe connected into theelectricalcircuits for controlling operationof'the drive mechanism forv the baking conveyer of the oven. Thus when theoven is constructed-with drive'means of the type wherein the trays are caused to be intermittently arrested in registered relation with the loading shelf A, suitable limit' switchesy (not shown) may be employedY so that the loading device will likewise be cofrelated to-fthe conveyer. It:- maybey understood. that the;I electrical circuits andi switchesy are so` arranged that the loading.

4equally satisfactory when. the baking mechanism` is; intermittently .operated andthe pushermember 2n. is caused to be arrestedin a raised or elevated position at a height so asz to permit theoperator toconveniently load pans; of foodestuff on the shelfiA. Preferably the pusher :member mais. arrested. adjacent the forwardpom tion.v of the upper surface of the-cams 4lV so as to afford: the operator a maximum amount. of time in; lpadingfthe pansl onto the shelfA A, When. the 'loadingmechanism is again set into motion. the pusherVV member 2li` will be causedA toA travel through a complete. cycle of movement and the iorward vmovement oil theV pusher member takes ,placev substantially as the .tray approaches alignment withA the loading shelf A. It will. be ap.- parentthat the loading device will also function oven is of a. type wherein the trays move continuously., and this` may be accomplished by proper coelation toithe driving of the pusher-member of the load'- ing: devicewith respect. to the speed of travel of the conveyer- Although we have-herein shown and described aoertain/ preferred embodiment of our invention, manifestlyy it is capable of modification and rearrangement of parts, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof; We do not, therefore; wish; to) be understood aslmiting this inventiontotheprecise form herein disclosed ex cept as. it may, beso limited in the appended claims.

WeclaimA as our invention:

l.; A unitary, self-contained, portablev loading `device for use with a baking oven of the type comprising a bakingy chamber provided with a loadingO opening, a conveyer in the chamber adapted to travel in close proximity to the loading'opening, andl a substantially horizontally disposed shelfelement associated with said. opening and over which element pansV of food stuiiy are adapted: to be moved onto said conveyer; said loadingdevice comprising a supporting'frame, ,angauxiliary horizontally extending shelf' element iigcedly mountedon the frame, adapted tol bedis.- posed in registered relation to the shelf element of theA oven,` whereby pans 0f fOOd 'SU may. be initially supportedon the shelf elements prepara,.- tQry toieeding onto the conveyer, said loading device having extensions insertable into said opening and positionable adjacent said conveyer, means for` engaging the pans. and slidingly mov.- 111g, them over the shelf elements onto the con veyer, said means being cooperable with said extensions for moving substantially the combined length of the registered shelf elements,- and .power driven meanszon the. frameL structure for actuating said n ieans.`

2. A loadingA devicefor u se with` a bakingoven of. the type comprising a baking. chamber pro-Y vided With a. loading opening, a conveyerin the chamber adapted to travel in close proximity-to the loading opening, and a substantially horizontally disposed shelf associated'with the openingaand overwhich pans of foodstuff are adapted tobe movedonto saidv conveyer; said loading device comprising asupportingv frame, an. elon-l gated member adapted to be disposed in and. extending in the direction of the width of`r said opening, two sets `of drivingmeans carried onthe frame and adapted to be registeredwith opposite endsof, thel opening and operably connected to the respective ends of said member for` moving it. forwardly and rearwardly inthe opening, means .ion-controlling the path of travel. of said member and serving to cause said member to belt, and an arm for each cam means pivoted at one end to an adjacent belt, the opposite ends of said arms being connected to the ends of said elongated member, said arms eachhaving a follower Aroller adapted to cooperate ywith a corresponding cam means to control the path of travel of said member, and motor driven means carried onthe frame and operably connected to said sets of driving vmeans for actuating them in synchronism. Y

V3. A loading device for use with a baking oven of the type comprising a baking chamber provided with a loading opening, a conveyer in the chamber adapted to travel in close proximity to the loading opening` and a substantially horizontally disposed shelf associated with the opening and over which pans of food stuff are adapted to be moved onto said conveyer; said loading device comprising a supporting frame, an elongated member adapted to be disposed in and extending in the direction of the width of said opening, two sets of driving means carried on the frame and adapted to be registered with opposite ends of the opening and operably connected to the respective ends of said member for moving it forwardly and rearwardly in the opening, means for controlling the path of travel of said member and serving to cause said member to travel in close proximity to the shelf in a forwardly direction for engaging pans of food stuff on the shelf and moving them forwardly onto the conveyer and to cause said member to travel in an elevated relation to the shelf in a rearwardly direction, each set of driving means comprising an endless belt, and said' control means comprising separate cam means adjacent each belt, and an arm for each cam means said arms being pivoted at one end to the adjacent belt and a follower roller on each arm for cooperating with a corresponding cam means, the opposite ends of said arms being inwardly offset and operably connected to the respective ends of said elongated member, and motor driven means carried on the frame and operably connected to said sets of driving means for actuatingr them in synchronism.

4. A loading device for use with a baking oven of the type comprising a baking chamber provided with a loading opening, a conveyer in the chamber adapted to travel in close proximity to the loading opening, and a substantially horizontally disposed shelf associated with the opening and over which pans of food stuff are adapted to be moved onto said conveyer; said loading device comprising a supporting frame, an elongated member adapted to be disposed in and extending in the direction of the width of said opening, two sets of driving means carried on the frame and adapted to be registered with opposite ends of the opening and operably connected to the respective ends of said member for moving it forwardly and rearwardly in the opening, means for controlling the path of travel of said member and serving to cause said member to travel in close proximity to the shelf in a forwardly direction for engaging pans of food stuff on the shelf and moving them forwardly onto the conveyer and to CII l0`v cause said member to' travel in an elevated relation to the shelf in a rearwardly direction, each set of driving means comprising an' endless belt, and said control means comprising separate cam means adjacent each belt, andan arm for each cam means pivoted at one end to an adjacent belt, the opposite ends of said arms being connected to the ends of said elongated member, said arms each having a follower roller adapted to cooperate with a corresponding cammea'ns to control they path l'of travel of said member, and motor driven means carried on the frame and operably connected to said sets of driving means for actuating them in synchronism, the forward ends of said cam means being formed to cause said member to dwell for a short interval of time,

lat the end of its yforward movement, prior tol commencement of return movement.

5. A loading device for use with of the type comprising a baking chamber pro 1 vided with a loading opening, a conveyerin 'th f chamber adapted to travel vin close-proximity t j the loading openingand a substantially horif zontally disposed shelf associated withV the open@ ing and over which pans of lfood stuif are" adapted to be moved onto said conveyer; said loading de vice comprising a supporting frame, an elongated cylindrical member adapted to be disposed in and extending in the direction of the width of said opening, two sets of driving means carried on the frame and adapted to be registered with opposite ends of the opening and operably connectedfto the respective ends of said member for moving it forwardly and rearwardly in the opening, means for controlling the path of travel of said member and sewing to cause said member to travel in close proximity to the shelf in a forwardly direction for engaging pans of food stuff on the shelf and moving them forwardly onto the conveyer and to cause said member to travel in an elevated relation to the shelf in a rearwardly direction, each set of driving means comprising an endless belt, and said control means comprising separate cam means adjacent each belt, and an arm for each cam means pivoted at one end to an adjacent belt, the opposite ends of said arms being pivotally connected to the ends of said elongated member, said arms each having a follower roller adapted to cooperate with a corresponding cam means to control the path of travel of said member, and motor driven means carried on the frame and operably connected to said sets of driving means for actuating them .in synchronism, the forward ends of said cam means being formed and dimensioned to cause said cylindrical member to engage and roll over said shelf during the nal portion of the forward movement of said member.

6. In combination, a baking oven having a baking chamber formed with a loading opening at one end, a horizontally travelling conveyer in the chamber and having one end positioned to travel in close proximity to the loading opening, said conveyer comprising a multiplicity of spaced apart, individually pivoted trays for supporting pans of food stuffs while travelling in a substantially complete cycle around the conveyer, a hori zontally extending shelf in the loading opening, located substantially midway between the upper and lower runs of the conveyer, whereby pans of food stuff may be shifted over said shelf onto said trays when the latter becomes substantially aligned with the shelf, and a power operated loading device associated with the loading opening of the oven and having a horizontally mova baking oven; ,ff

anemona able pusher member, :actuated in timed relation to the conveyexz, .forvengaging pans .of food kstuff on the and-shitting them .onto van aligned tray .of theconveyer.

7. .In.comloinatiormat baking oven having a baking chamber formed with `a loading opening at.

one end, Va horizontally travelling. conveyerin the chamber and :having one ,end positioned to travel j in .close proximity `to .the loading opening, said conveyer comprising a multiplicity of. spaced 10 apart, individually pivoted trays rfor supporting pans of vfood stuis while `travelling in a substanr tially completecycle around the conveyer, a horizontally extending shelf .the .loading opening, located .substantially midway between the lupper `and lower runs of the conveyer, whereby pans of foodstui may beshiitedoversaid shelf onto said trays when .the latter becomes substantially aligned with the shelf, the effective loadingV opening being .of afheight just :sufficient to afford clearancefn the pans when movedover the shelf onto an .aligned Ytray, tanda power operatedk loadingV .devicel .associated. with they loading opening of the oven fandhaving .a horizontally movable pusher member, actuated in timed relation to the. 2;-,

Vconveyer, for engaging pans of food stuff on theY shelf and Lshifting them v,onto an `aligned tray of the conveyer.

WILLIAM L. MUELLER. CARL RICHARD SKARIN.

REFERENCES CITED The .following references `are of record in the le of this `patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

